Mr. Wright was born December 20, 1930, in Watauga County, a son of the late Hill and Virgie Gragg Wright. He was a graduate of Appalachian State University where he was the retired Director of Finance. Mr. Wright served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and was a member of First Baptsit Church of Boone.

Mr. Wright is survived by his wife, Carol Herring Wright of the home; two sons, Tom Wright, Jr. and wife Dayna of Blowing Rock, and Kenneth Wright and wife Cyndee of Blowing Rock; one daughter, Becky Steele and husband Mike of Blowing Rock; four granddaughters, Lauren Greene and husband Sid of Boone, Ashlyn Steele of Blowing Rock, Lindsay Wright of Chicago, Illinois, and Victoria "Tori" Wright of Blowing Rock, two grandsons, Lanny Wilson and wife Jaime of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Thomas Steele of Blowing Rock, and one first cousin, Thelma White of Blowing Rock. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Tommy Wright; two sisters, Meta Knight and Agnes Coffey, and one brother, Paul Wright.

Funeral services for Thomas H. Wright, Sr. will be conducted Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2013, at 2:00 o'clock, at First Baptist Church of Boone. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Reverend Roy Dobyns. Private entombment services will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Blowing Rock.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Boone, 375 East King Street, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Wright family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.